St Louis Vacation

The last weekend before school started, I convinced Ethan to take a road trip to St Louis with the girls.  It didn't take much convincing, just showing him what a piece of cake it would be.  Thankfully, it actually was,  the whole time!   We left Saturday morning, stayed in Westport area, spending lots of time in the hotel's outside pool.  The weather was perfect for it -- super hot!   The hotel had a lake with ducks, which intrigued Hayden.  After she swam we had to explore the whole land and ended up hanging with the ducks for quite some time. 

Then all day Sunday we went to the STL zoo and walked and walked and walked.  We love that zoo!  Hayden was very concerned that the animals wouldn't be in their cages and would get her and she REALLY wanted on the zoo train.  Abbie was just excited to see everything.  The girls really did great at the zoo. They got to see the sea lions, penguins, gorillas and monkeys.  

Afterwards I (again) convinced Ethan that we needed to see the arch.  I know the girls didn't understand the excitement behind it but it was a new adventure nonetheless.  Actually, just finding parking was goin to be an adventure we thought! We spent some time under the arch and trying to show the girls how amazing it is.  I know Hayden will at least remember it and when we go back she'll have some idea where we are.  Abbie just enjoyed FINALLY getting out of her car seat and stroller and being able to roam in the grass.   

These pictures are out of order but still capture our little vacation. 

Random Photos

Since I clearly have slacked off in posts...here's a bunch of photos I've downloaded off my phone...with no story to go with them.   

Hayden's First Day of PreK

Holy Moley - Can you tell that school's started back up again? Did I call it or what? Yeah, in the last post, I might have mentioned the foreseen blog absence.  

School starts = no more blogging.  Not sure what I was thinking when I had the brilliant idea to blog and blog often.  So keep it in mind that I forget about the blog...often, but will do my best to continue to update Life in the Cantrell House for those that don't follow on Facebook.  

Speaking of following....don't forget you can sign up to have updates sent to you via email. Look on the right hand side for the spot to do that.  Or you can sign up for bloglovin and follow me there.  : - ) 

Now onto what we've been doing.   When I went through my phone, I actually divided the pics up into 3 posts and will post the other 2 as they get completed.  So these next few posts aren't necessarily in chronological order but first things first....... 

Hayden started PRESCHOOL this year!  Fair Grove schools has a preschool program in the elementary and she goes twice a week.  She loves being at school, but she doesn't love that mommy and daddy aren't there.  I've realized even more of how nervous and scared she gets in unknown environments or around new/different people.  We're working on it. She's only gone 3 times. Loves it by the end of the day, but it takes her up until after lunchtime.  Thankfully, Ethan's able to drop her off in the mornings and picks her up.  

Let the pictures begin:

Meet the Teacher night, delivering her school supplies

The traditional 1st day photo at the front door.  Backpack and lunchbox ready to go!

Gotta show it ALL off! LaLaLoopsy lunchbox and Brave backpack

OOps, out of order. This is from Meet the Teacher

Trying to get the sister picture - it was HARD, but entertaining

Abbie had no idea what we were doing, but as long as Hay was there, she was content. 

And when Abbie finally looks, Hayden gets cheesy.  Of course.

Holding mommy and daddy's hand walking to school -- allll smiles here

Found her seat...you can see the uncertainty setting in

She was supposed to take her picture with Mrs Holliman ... but wouldnt get out from behind me. 

And there you go -- our big girl is finally at big girl school. 

Her favorites:  the big spiral slide at recess, playing with the baby dolls, and eating lunch with her lunch buddy.  I can't wait for it to get easier for her (and Ethan) and she can truly enjoy her school experience.  

Stay tuned....

August... It's Here

So just in case you didn't know.... August = School starting = back to school = I'm in my classroom.   Which now leads to me forgetting to post on here as often.  But we'll survive, just don't forget about the little old blog :-)

And with that, I wish I had something wonderful to post about today but there's nothing out of the ordinary going on here.    Hang in with the old blog and I'll update as I can.  Today was the girls' first day at Krystal's house so I'm sure that'll be a story to tell!

Happy Monday!